Professionals in architecture, engineering, construction and related industries gathered at the Sentinel hotel in downtown Portland on Tuesday evening to recognize some of their peers’ accomplishments. Check out some photos (credit goes to freelance photographer Josh Kulla) from the 91��Ƶ’s 2024 Phenoms & Icons event.

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As an architect specializing in health care projects, Kelly Chanopas has an opportunity to connect with humanity from birth to death.

“I think what drew me into it was the ability to work directly with people who actually use the buildings we designed and having that connection with the human side,” she said. “Our ability as designers to impact how people feel gives my work a sense of purpose.”

In her decade with ZGF, her achievements include the 745,000-square-foot Cincinnati Children’s Critical Care Building Expansion. “This building has been purpose-built for how we want to deliver care and for what families expect of us today. Those expectations are much higher than they used to be,” said Dr. Steven Davis, president and chief executive officer.

Chanopas, who earned Green Belt Lean Certification for Facilities Design, said she appreciates working with talented people each day. “Most projects I’m on are usually larger teams, and being able to learn from my colleagues and teammates and develop those relationships on projects that are large and complex is a really rewarding part of being an architect.”

A member of ZGF’s Diversity Inclusion Advocacy Group, Chanopas developed a Firmwide Culture Survey that delved into crucial aspects such as employees’ feelings at work, obstacles they face, and assessing if they felt included and able to be their authentic selves.

Chanopas also co-chaired AIA Oregon’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which initiated a yearly symposium addressing DEI topics within the industry, providing a crucial forum for these discussions.

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Stacey Flint earned an architecture degree, but a woman who owned a commercial roofing company piqued her interest in the construction industry. Flint started an internship at JE Dunn in 2013 during her first semester of earning a master’s in construction management.

Since then, she has worked on major projects such as leading the Port of Portland Airport Parking Garage and Consolidated Rental Car Facility project. A champion for the minority and small business community, Flint’s first building at PDX had more than 50 percent diversity inclusion.

“Stacey is a hardworking, compassionate leader who is always willing to listen and help. Her positive attitude and drive have an incredible impact on the teams she leads and the entire Portland office,” said Darin Stegemoller, senior vice president.

Flint regularly encourages feedback, ideas and open discussion on improving employee work-life balance at JE Dunn, including setting healthy boundaries and supporting more quality time at home.

“We expect people to bring their best self to work every day, and I believe that people should also be able to bring their best self back home every day, too. People deserve to have that balance in life. They deserve to have life outside of work, to have time for family, friends and themselves,” she said.

Flint has mentored numerous female interns and project engineers over the past decade, staying in touch with them to offer support and guidance even after they move on to other project teams. Beyond mentoring team members, she helped spearhead JE Dunn’s internal networking group for women, “Moment Connection.”

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Michael Hamilton knew that he wanted to provide affordable housing and that owning his own company would give him the control to make a difference for others. At 22, he began working as a construction manager for a local developer. In just two years, he had built more than 100 apartments.

Now 28, he is the founder of Hamilton Building Co. and Seneca Development Company. Hamilton Building Co. is a construction company that specializes in mixed-use and multifamily developments and services Seneca Development Company as an in-house general contractor.

“I wanted to start my own business because I’ve always been pretty driven by a strong work ethic and I like to learn things. I’ve also been blessed with opportunities and supportive people around me,” he said.

“I love a challenge and I wake up knowing I’ll be doing something different every day,” Hamilton added. “I also like having the flexibility to spend time with my kids. I can work after they go to sleep and make sure I can still go to their activities and parent-teacher conferences.”

Dalton Byrne, Seneca’s asset manager, described Hamilton as “visionary,” noting he has delivered more than $150 million in real estate to address the city’s critical housing shortages.

“With a ‘people first’ mindset driving every decision, Michael is a true steward of the profession. His impact and direct influence into the affordable living market will not only be lasting, but transformative for generations to come,” Byrne said.

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Lindsi Hammond joined GRI in August 2015 and co-founded the GRI Pavement Division, spending the next six years tripling it in size to become one of the largest pavement divisions in the Pacific Northwest.

While she works on many large, complex projects, including one of the first seismically resilient airport runways for the Port of Portland, Hammond said she appreciates the opportunity to help small communities that do not have the staff to manage their pavement.

“It’s fun to see a road being built, but it’s really rewarding to help people more cost effectively manage their pavement and see agencies allocating funds to roadways in the most efficient ways possible,” she said.

Hammond’s technical expertise and influence within the industry were major factors to her being the first female engineer promoted in 2018 to the GRI management team, and then to a principal and a member of the GRI Board of Directors in 2019.

Through Hammond’s leadership and involvement in the Civil Engineering Cooperative Program (CECOP), GRI strives to hire one CECOP intern every year. She also is a mentor for STEM Like a Girl and brings her personal experience to her volunteer work.

Christina Villeneuve, RG, GRI’s director of business development and marketing, noted that Hammond does not limit her mentorship abilities just to pavement professionals. “She expands her efforts as an influential industry leader to expand the A/E/C community.”

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Under Jay Hedberg’s leadership, Consor’s Construction Services’ Oregon team expanded to more than 50 members within five years of its inception. His ability to cultivate strong client relationships, particularly with the Oregon Department of Transportation, has contributed significantly to this growth and the team’s ability to take on larger, more complex projects.

Hedberg introduced bi-weekly meetings that have become a cornerstone of team success, offering a space for members to share knowledge, solve problems together and stay connected to overall goals. His focus on mutual respect has created a team-first mentality, where team members are motivated and well-equipped to tackle complex projects together.

In addition to fostering a collaborative culture, Hedberg has been a driving force behind process improvements, including documentation and project tracking. Each winter, he leads the team through a period of process refinement, using lessons learned from past projects to make tools and systems more user friendly and efficient.

Through his mentorship, Hedberg has helped junior inspectors and construction managers understand the intricacies of ODOT’s documentation standards, tracking systems and paynote practices. This not only has improved the quality of the team’s work, but also has empowered individuals to take on greater responsibilities within their roles.

As an active member of the Construction Management Association of America and a former member of the Associated General Contractors of America, Hedberg continuously seeks opportunities to engage with key players across the industry.

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Nick Hooker started working for his family’s business in January 2019, starting out at the ground floor as the facilities manager. His job was to make sure that all of the fabricators had what they needed to do their job effectively.

Hooker was instrumental in the installation of McKenzie Stone & Tile’s new large equipment upgrades. From there he moved into the office and started his training on reading commercial blueprints and estimating projects. He now leads the company’s marketing efforts.

“I have really enjoyed the commercial sales side of the business and getting to work with educated tradesmen. That being said, I enjoy marketing the most. Working to update our website on a weekly basis and engaging in outreach marketing to gain customers has been very enjoyable as well as content creation for our social media,” he said.

Of the many lessons he has learned during the past six years of working in different capacities, he said the most important one is confidence.

“I have learned confidence in speaking with people who are much more knowledgeable and successful than myself, and that in itself helps me to be more knowledgeable and successful,” he said. “I’ve gained understanding that I won’t gain success without putting myself in uncomfortable situations and always admitting when I don’t know something in order to learn.”

President Narelle Hooker said Nick’s natural leadership ability has put him in positions where people more experienced and skilled than he will look to him for solutions to complex problems.

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Though her father was a civil engineer, Kim Johnson initially was not interested in following in his footsteps. She does, however, thrive on challenges.

“I loved the idea of being an underdog, someone who wasn’t naturally gifted in math, a woman in a male-dominated field and someone who would have to work hard to succeed. That mix of determination and curiosity drove me to give it a shot, and I haven’t looked back since,” she said.

She founded 7 Oaks Engineering in 2022 with her husband, Steven Johnson, PE, who is senior vice president. She admitted to being intimidated, but wanted to break barriers and create something meaningful in a field she is passionate about.

“I believe Kim will far succeed and continue to grow her company and increase her outreach and positive influence on the community as well as the civil engineering field,” Steven Johnson said.

Kim Johnson described civil engineering as a demanding profession that requires extensive training and problem solving, which keeps her engaged and motivated. “I also love the variety. No two days or projects are ever the same. Each project brings unique challenges and opportunities, which makes the work both dynamic and rewarding.”

An advocate for women in the profession, Johnson mentors others to help demystify barriers and provide support, guidance and encouragement so they can see what’s possible and pursue their goals with confidence.

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Through Oregon State University’s Construction Engineering Management program, Kyle Lee interned with a mechanical contractor specializing in high purity and process piping. The experience gave him firsthand insight into the technical challenges and innovation required in that sector.

“What excites me most about the mechanical construction field is being hands-on in the problem-solving process, working through design and conceptual ideas, identifying potential roadblocks and developing solutions that bring everything together seamlessly,” he said. “Seeing systems evolve from abstract plans to fully functional, efficient operations is incredibly rewarding. It’s that combination of technical complexity, teamwork and tangible results that continues to fuel my passion for this field.”

Lee’s accomplishments include leading the expansion of Streimer’s business into the HVAC piping and plumbing markets, successfully managing several complex projects, and developing a team that excels in these markets.

“Kyle’s ability to encourage collaboration, build trust and create a positive work environment not only benefits our team, but also plays a crucial role in project success and client satisfaction,” said President Steven Streimer. “Kyle’s approach to relationship building is a key asset that positively impacts every aspect of our organization.”

Lee’s participation in career fairs allows him to share his experiences and expertise, providing students with a realistic understanding of the mechanical construction field as a career option.

He also supports Portland Youth Builders and the ACE Mentor Program, among other nonprofits and charities.

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Meghan Looney joined Perlo as a marketing coordinator in 2014. When she was named director of human resources in 2020, she became one of two women to join the senior leadership team.

Looney developed and implemented Perlo’s first employee handbook and benefits book, and rolled out an online employee portal to streamline the onboarding process and to make resources readily accessible to field and office staff. She advocated for paid leave before it was mandated, implemented employee recognition programs, and helped expand Perlo’s branded clothing line to include more women’s wear and size inclusivity.

She also has spearheaded several internal committees, including the Opportunity for Improvement Committee, which is a platform to give all employees a voice to express concerns and suggestions about improving operations and processes. The Culture Committee focuses on creating an inclusive culture. The Wellness Committee promotes a healthy work-life balance. Looney also initiated Perlo Cares, its philanthropy program. She said establishing the committees has been rewarding both professionally and personally.

“When you work full time, you spend half of your life with your work family,” she said. “Commercial construction can be very challenging work and stressful at times, so building up a support system around the business we’re so proud of is essential to retaining our great folks, keeping them healthy, happy and engaged so they continue to perform at the highest level.”

Tana Thomson, SHRM-SCP, CCP of Vista Capital Partners, is one of Looney’s mentors and described her as “an energetic and dynamic people leader who is passionate about building a great workplace culture.”

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